Review for Developmental Psychology

Development

The process of change and growth in humans over time.

Continuity

The idea that development is gradual and continuous.

Stages

Developmental theories that propose distinct phases individuals go through.

Cognitive Development

Field focused on how children acquire thought processes.

Piaget

Psychologist known for his theories on children's cognitive development.

Kohlberg

Psychologist known for his theory of moral development.

Erikson

Psychologist known for his stages of psychosocial development.

Temperament

A person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

Zygote

The fertilized egg that develops into an embryo.

Embryo

The developing human organism from about 2 weeks to 8 weeks after conception.

Fetus

The developing human organism from about 9 weeks after conception to birth.

Teratogen

An agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A condition in a child resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

Habituation

The decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Maturation

The biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior.

Pruning

The process of eliminating unused neural pathways in the brain.

Object Permanence

The awareness that things continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Cognitive Schema

A mental framework that helps organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

The process of incorporating new experiences into existing schemas.

Accommodation

The process of adjusting existing schemas to fit new experiences.

Theory of Mind

The ability to understand one's own and others' mental states.

Social Learning Theory

The theory that we learn social behaviors by observing and imitating others.

Imprinting

The process by which certain animals form strong attachments during a critical period.

Authoritarian Parenting

A strict parenting style emphasizing obedience and discipline.

Permissive Parenting

A parenting style with few demands and high responsiveness.

Negligent Parenting

A style characterized by a lack of responsiveness and involvement.

Authoritative Parenting

A balanced parenting style that combines rules with understanding.

Peer Influence

The impact that peers have on an individual's behavior and choices.

Gender Roles

Social expectations for behavior based on one's gender.

Sexual Aggression

Aggressive behavior directed towards someone of the opposite sex.

Relational Aggression

Harming others through manipulation or damage to relationships.

Emerging Adulthood

A transitional period from late adolescence to early adulthood.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort that arises from holding conflicting beliefs.

Self-Concept

A person's perception of their own identity and values.

Identity Crisis

A period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of self becomes insecure.

Crisis Resolution

The process by which individuals settle various conflicts and personal dilemmas.

Masculinity

Qualities and attributes traditionally associated with being male.

Femininity

Qualities and attributes traditionally associated with being female.

Neuroscience of Aging

The study of how aging affects brain structure and function.

Psychosocial Development

The development of emotional and social skills throughout a person's life.

Lifelong Learning

The ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge.

Importance of Play

Play is crucial for children's social, cognitive, and emotional development.

Stereotypes

Oversimplified and fixed ideas about a group of people.

Critical Period

A specific time during development when particular skills or abilities are most easily learned.

Self-Regulation

The ability to control one’s emotions, behavior, and desires.

Stressors

Events or conditions that cause stress.

Coping Mechanisms

Strategies to manage stress and adversity.

Life Satisfaction

A measure of how much a person is satisfied with their life overall.

Erikson’s Stages

A series of eight interconnected psychosocial crises that shape personality.

LGBTQ+ Development

The unique developmental experiences of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

Parental Influence

The impact of parents' values, beliefs, and behaviors on child development.

Emotional Attachment

An emotional bond that forms between a child and caregiver.

Moral Development

The process through which individuals develop proper attitudes and behaviors toward others.

Abstract Thinking

The ability to think about concepts and ideas rather than concrete objects.

Social Norms

Expected standards of behavior within a group or society.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a rewarding stimulus following a desired behavior.

Peer Acceptance

The extent to which an individual is liked or accepted by their peers.